Peaceful Mahakumbh is govt's priority: Nishank

Dehradun: With crores of people expected to throng Uttarakhand for the Mahakumbh Mela that starts on 14 January, the state government said peaceful conduct of the religious congregation was its top-most priority.

"Successful conduct of the Mahakumbh fair has been the utmost priority of the government for which heavy security has been put in place," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank told PTI.

Over 25 lakh people are expected to take a holy dip in the river Ganga on January 14, the first day of the 'snan'. Eight lakh people have already reached the city, officials said.

Nishank said all arrangements have been put in place. The Mahakumbh Mela administration has taken control over the 130-square km area notified as Kumbh Mela area comprising parts of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri districts.

According to in-charge of the Mela Anand Vardhan, tight security arrangements have been made at all entry points. The area has been divided into 32 sectors and a magistrate will ensure proper arrangement in each sector.

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As many as 39 CCTV cameras have been installed on hilly region to keep a close vigil, he said. Senior police officer Alok Sharma said on 'Makar Sankranti', the first day of the mela, eight companies of CRPF, 2 companies of RAF and 4 companies of CISF have specially been deployed. There are plans to deploy BSF and ITBP also, he said.

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